Sluice box



W. E. CULLER June 29, 1933.

SLUICE BOX Filed Nov. 25, 1951 INVENTOR, [4/41 1/104 15'. 001152.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 20, 1933 I PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM E. CULLER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI SLUICE BOX .Application filed November 23, 1931.

This invention relates to ore recovering apparatus and has particular reference to novel, etficient and durable means for separating gold from its supporting medium.

It is known in this art that the recovery of flour gold from a'flowing stream of fluid is exceptionally difficult because the fine flufly particles of the precious metal float on the surface of the stream of water passing through a sluice box where itis entirely out of contact with any straining or catching means and especially out of the zone of at traction which is set up between gold and mercury which is commonly used in methods and apparatus of the general character to which this invention relates.

It is an object, therefore, of this invention, to provide a unique sluice box for the recovcry of substantially all of the particles of 2@ gold which are passed therethrough.

A yet further object of this invention is the provision of a sluice box having means for setting up a primary and secondary serpentine path for fluids passing therethrough 5 and devices within said paths for violently agitating the fluid as it is passing through the flow chamber of the sluice box from inlet to outlet thereof.

An even further object of the instant invention is the contemplation of a series of unique baflie plates, each removably aflixed to a part of the sluice box and each having associatedtherewith means for violently agitating the fluid which passes over said plates.

The many minor objects of this inventlon, including specific structural details disclosing the preferred manner of constructing a sluice box in accordance with this invention will be set down during the course of the following specification referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a sluice box embodying this invention.

Serial No. 576,660.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section through the same with a part of the side of said box left in elevation.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section through a portion of the sluice box showing the relation between the baffling and agitating means therein.

Fig. t is a fragmentary, detailed, horizon tal section through a portion of the sluice box illustrating the manner of removably attaching each of the battle plates therein, anc,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the baffle plates, the same being entirely removed from Within the sluice box.

The preferred form of the invention is embodied in the sluice box illustrated herewith and while the parts of the same are preferably formed of sheet metal or similar substance, it is understood any material might 6 be used so long as it is strong enough to withstand the force exerted thereon by the passage of fluid under pressure through the sluice box.

In the drawing, like reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views, and the numeral 6 indicates a flow chamber which is entirely closed with the exception of the inlet 8 at one end thereof and an outlet 10 at the opposite end, whereby fluid is introduced and removed from flow chamber 6.

To accomplish one of the primary objects of this invention, a serpentine path is created within flow chamber 6 that is traveled by the ore-bearing fluid passing therethrough. To accomplish this, a plurality of spaced apart staggered overlapping and oflset partitions 12 are vertically disposed within flow chamher 6. Alternate partitions 12 terminate in spaced relation to the upper and lower sides of chamber 6, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In other words, every other partition extends inwardly from the bottom of flow chamber 6 while the partitions 12 therebetween extend inwardly from the top of chamber 6.

Each partition 12 extends completely across chamber 6 from one side to the other and it is obvious that fluid may pass therearound only by entering between the edge thereof which is spaced away from one side of chamber 6 and said side. Thus a major or primary serpentine path is set up for the fluid to follow which cannot be avoided.

A secondary sepentine path is presented for the fluid to follow as it passes through the primary path. This secondary path is formed by a series of horizontally arranged baflie plates 14, each of which is removably aflixed to one of the vertical partitions 12, or, as in the case near the end of flow chamber 6, to the end wall thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Each plate 14 is formed to present a depending flange 16 which fitsbetween the supporting partition 12 and a transverse bar 18 which is supported in spaced relation to the partition by cleats 2O aflixed to partition 12. Thus the plates 14 are removably arranged in the vertical portion of the primary serpentine path and since there is a comparatively strong force against the face of each plate 14 which is opposed to the direction of travel of the fluid, a supporting standard 22 is affixed to each. plate 14 as shown in Fig. 5.

Reference to Figs. 2 and 3 will teach that these standards 22 support the plates in proper spaced relation and relieve a strain which would undoubtedly be exerted upon depending flange 16. These plates 14 are arranged in series and are offset in spaced apart relation to overlap each other in a manner as clearly shown. In introducing these plates through a suitable opening which may be formed in the top of the sluice box, uprights 22 may be used as handles whereby to manipulate the introduction and removal of.

the plates.

Plates 14 are coated with mercury, to which the particles of gold adhere. After a predetermined amount of the precious metal has been collected upon plates 14, the same are removed and placed in a suitable retort which i ing through the flow chamber must be free from surfaces upon which this mineral might float. The ground and crushed ore mixed with fluid is forced into flow chamber 6 through inlet 8 and around baifle plates 14.

As this path is assumed, violent agitation is caused to take place by the employment of a transverse conduit 24 which extends across flow chamber 6 beneath each plate 14 respectively and adjacent its zone of connection. This conduit 24 is perforated and joins with manifold pipe 26 by way of laterals 28, whereby air under pressure is forced into the stream of fluid passing through flow chamber 6. Thus it is obvious that besides the primary and secondary serpentine paths which are followed by the fluid, agitation is imparted thereto which further breaks up any tendency to stratify. It has been found that both the upper and lower sides of plates 14 will collect the particles of gold and after the fluid has passed along the two previously mentioned paths any remaining gold is strained out as the fluid is forced twice through a film of oil 29. This is the final operation upon the fluid and thereafter the same flows from chamber 6 through outlet 10.

Obviously, extremely heavy particles will settle to the bottom of flow chamber 6 and it will be necessary to introduce a desirable force at that point to dislodge the same and start them toward outlet 10. When the bottom of flow chamber 6 becomes too heavily laden with such foreign particles, air under pressure is introduced through transverse pipes 30 arranged at intervals along the bottom of flow chamber 6. These pipes 30 each has a series of openings 32 formed therethrough and arranged to release jets of air under pressure in a direction toward outlet 10 and with the normal path of travel of the fluid which is then being passed through the sluice box.

hen this cleaning operation is taking place the air through agitator conduits 24 is shut off and plain water is forced through the flow chamber 6. Manifold pipe 34 interconnects all pipes 30 so'that air under pressure may be introduced thereto from any desirable source of supply.

The operation of this sluice box and its many points of advantages have been set forth during the course of the specification. It is to be understood that any number of baflie plates might be utilized in creating the primary and secondary serpentine paths within flow chamber 6, and that the sluice box may be made a size to properly accommodate the capacity of the grinding mill with which it is associated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: y

1. sluice box comprising a flow chamber; an inlet at one end of said chamber; an outlet at the opposite end of said chamber; a plurality of spaced apart partitions within said chamber, alternate partitions terminating inspaced relation to opposite sides of said chamber whereby to cause fluids to follow a serpentine path when passing from said inlet to said outlet; and a series of spaced, olfset horizontal overlapping baffle plates positioned within the vertical portions of the serpentine path formed by said partitions and a perforated fluid inlet conduit beneath each of said horizontal baffle plates respectively and adjacent one edge thereof.

2. A sluice box comprising a flow chamber; an inlet at one end of said chamber; an outlet at the opposite end thereof; a plurality of staggered overlapping partitions vertically disposed within said chamber; and a series of olfset overlapping baflle plates horizontally arranged between said partitions and carried thereby whereby primary and secondary serpentine paths are presented to fluids passing from said inlet to the outlet, said horizontal bafile plates each having a depending flange along one edge thereof to maintain the same in operative position, and an upright to support the baifle plate next above.

3. A sluice box comprising a flow chamber; a plurality of staggered overlapping partitions vertically disposed within said chamher to create a serpentine path through said chamber; a series of spaced apart, horizontal baffle plates carried by said vertical partitions; and a perforated fluid inlet conduit beneath each of said horizontal plates.

4:. A sluice box comprising a flow chamber; a plurality of staggered overlapping partitions vertically disposed within said chamber to create a serpentine path through said chamber; a series of spaced apart, horizontal balile plates carried by said vertical partitions; a standard secured to the upper face of each plate and supporting the plate next above.

5. A sluice box comprising a flow chamber; a. plurality of staggered overlapping partitions vertically disposed within said chamher to create a serpentine path through said chamber; a series of spaced apart, horizontal baflie plates carried by said vertical partitions; a perforated conduit beneath each of said horizontal plates; and a group of per forated pipes along the bottom of said flow chamber, the perforations of said pipes being positioned to direct a force in the direction v of flow of fluid passing around said vertical partitions from the inlet to the outlet.

6. In a sluice box for the recovery of gold, a plurality of staggered overlapping partitions vertically disposed within said box whereby to cause fluid passing therethrough to follow a serpentine path a series of horizontal baflies detachably secured to said pan titions in offset overlapped relation; a coating of mercury overlying the surfaces of said bafiles; and means for detachably securing said bal'lle plates to the partitions including a depending flange along one side of each of said plates.

7 In a sluice box for the recovery of gold, a closed flow chamber; an inlet at one end signature.

IVILLIAM E. CULLER. 

